Modular lavatory wall with quiet flush plenum

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to passenger transport vehicle-based lavatories. Specifically, this disclosure provides improved lavatory walls and configurations for venting and noise reduction. The walls may include a plenum forming a chamber with one or more openings, in order to help remove odors from the laboratory environment via venting.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/989,045, filed May 6, 2014, titled “Modular Lavatory Wall with Quiet Flush Plenum,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to passenger transport vehicle-based lavatories. Specifically, this disclosure provides improved lavatory walls and configurations for venting and noise reduction. The walls may include a plenum forming a chamber with one or more openings, in order to help remove odors from the laboratory environment via venting.

BACKGROUND

Many types of passenger transport vehicles (such as aircraft, ships, buses, trains, and any other passenger transport vehicles) use vacuum toilets in order to flush septic waste, which is then delivered to a septic holding tank on board the vehicle. Such septic holding tanks are typically fluidly connected to the vacuum toilet system via a series of conduits, valves, and vacuum pumps in order to flush and route septic waste to the holding tanks. The vacuum created for the flushing action may either be via one or more vacuum pumps, or, in the case of an aircraft in flight, via a pressure differential. For example, aircrafts typically have a vacuum disposal system that applies a vacuum to pull waste media and flush water/spent water from toilets and/or sinks into an on-board waste water storage tank. The suction is generated either by the pressure differential between the pressurized cabin and the reduced pressure outside of an aircraft at high flight altitudes or by a vacuum generator at ground level or at low flight altitudes.

Although efficient, vacuum toilets create a loud noise level during the flush cycle, due to the amount of vacuum that needs to be applied in order to cause the septic waste to travel from the toilet basin to the holding tank. A loud flushing sound is created when the flush valve opens. The differential pressure is what forcefully draws the waste down the drain, and the pressure differential must be large enough to cause the waste to flow the entire distance from the toilet basin to the septic holding tank, which can be located quite far from the lavatory.

The passenger complaints most often observed regarding use of lavatories on-board passenger transport vehicles (aside from their small size) relate to the residual odors present in laboratories and the loud sounds associated with a vacuum flush. The assignee of the present application has thus accordingly developed various technologies seeking to address these complaints. For example, co-pending U.S. application Publication No. 2013/0305444 describes a two-stage flush and gray water flush system. One of the aspects described in addressing the noise of a vacuum flush, as well as the airborne smells that develop inside the lavatory space, is the temporal separation of toilet bowl evacuation and waste transport. This technology provides a transient tank located in between the vacuum toilet bowl in the main aircraft waste tank. This has been found to reduce the noise level associated with the flush process because a lesser vacuum is demanded for the first stage of the flush, in order to deliver waste to the transient tank. This technology also describes a venting system that seeks to reduce lavatory odors.

The assignee has also sought to provide lavatories with a modular design, utilizing a flexible assortment of major components to outfit various lavatory configurations with standardized inserts in a more inexpensive manner. Standardization of lavatory structures can help to minimize manufacturing cost, but without sufficient flexibility and modularity, standardization may stifle creativity needed to optimize a cabin layout and maximize seating.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention described herein thus seek to provide an improved lavatory wall. In specific embodiments, the lavatory wall may be provided as a modular lavatory wall. Embodiments further seek to provide a lavatory wall that forms a plenum with a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings may be used for venting air from a closed environment (such as the interior of the lavatory) into the vacuum waste tank. This can help alleviate odors and can also help reduce the loud sound of a vacuum being applied to a single vent opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows plan view of a lavatory with one embodiment of a quiet flush plenum.

FIG. 2 shows a side plan view of one embodiment of a quiet flush plenum wall.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the wall of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a lavatory with one embodiment of a plenum vent positioned along the lavatory wall.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the plenum vent of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustrating possible air flow through one embodiment of a venting system described.

FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of openings through a plenum.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of angled openings through a plenum.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of angled openings through a plenum.

FIG. 10 shows a side plan view of a lavatory with an alternate embodiment of a quiet flush plenum floor.

FIG. 11 shows a lavatory space with a plenum having an internal space for receiving one or more components.

FIG. 12 shows first and second lavatory spaces, sharing a single plenum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved lavatory wall 10. In a specific embodiment, the lavatory wall 10 may be configured to be modular. For example, the lavatory wall may be designed to be used in connection with a modular, multi-configuration environment. Certain embodiments may be designed to consider the challenges of economically manufacturing vehicular-based lavatory structures in a multi-configuration environment, such as on a commercial aircraft. The variability of layouts in a vehicle's cabin can pose an optimization challenge for minimizing floor space dedicated to the lavatory, maximizing class differentiation through amenities, and minimizing manufacturing costs.

In one embodiment, one or more of the lavatory walls 10 may be built to include an internal space 12 for optional insertion of utility components such as a video screen 60 or other passenger amenities. The internal space may be an indented portion of the wall 10 that allows positioning of any desired component. As shown in FIG. 11, the component may be a video screen 60, a magazine rack, a cabinet, or any other desirable component. In lavatory configurations where such amenities are not required, the internal space 12 may be covered with a non-load baring facade 62 that may be positioned into the internal space 12. In other embodiments, the internal space may be used as storage space for supplies. A cabinet may be provided that is similar in size and shape to the non-load bearing façade, but with a lockable door for containing various lavatory items. It is envisioned any wall or any position of a wall could be chosen for the purpose of containing the internal space for housing an insert or other component. A particular benefit may be achieved by utilizing any otherwise unused space on the conformal wall of outboard lavatories.

In another specific embodiment, additionally or alternatively to the modular concepts described above, the lavatory wall may be designed to provide improved venting features. As background, one feature of the two-stage flush concepts that are being developed is providing an odor removal system that uses a vent line connected to an air muffler. This system can pull noxious air and odors out from the lavatory and deliver them to the waste system using a controlling valve. The valve is only opened when there is vacuum in the tank to remove odors from the air in the lavatory.

In order to improve upon this odor removal system, there may be provided a modified vent line 14 that can be formed as a plenum 16. The vent line 14 may be formed into a space 12 on the lavatory wall 10. Alternatively, the vent line 14 may be positioned along an interior portion of the curved lavatory wall 10 and secured thereto. In a further example, the vent line 14/plenum 16 may be formed into or as a part of the lavatory wall 10 itself. For example, the wall 10 may be formed as having a portion that provides plenum 16. Alternatively, the entire wall 10 may be formed as a plenum 16. Regardless of how formed, the plenum 16 may function as a chamber 18 that is intended to contain air or gas at a negative pressure.

In a specific embodiment, the plenum 16 may be formed as a chamber 18 that is tubular, a flattened tube, a curved portion, an elongated plate shape, a curved plate formed with a chamber between two plate walls, or any other shape. The figures provide exemplary options only and are not intended to be limiting in any way. The plenum 16 may generally track the outer shape of the lavatory wall 10. Alternatively, the plenum 16 may be formed into the lavatory wall 10.

The plenum 16 may generally be provided as having an interior chamber 18 that contains at least one front wall 20 that has a plurality of inlets or openings 22 therein. The inlets or openings 22 can create air flow. As shown, the plenum 16 may also have a rear wall 24 that does not have inlets or openings, but that functions to provide a containing feature for the air and gases that may be pulled into the plenum chamber 18 via vacuum.

In one embodiment, the plenum 16 may be conformal with the shape of the lavatory structure such that it can be installed within the internal hollow or otherwise pre-designed space 12 within the lavatory wall 10. In another embodiment, the entire wall is 10 is formed as a plenum 16.

At least one portion of the plenum 16 should have a valve connection area 26. This valve connection area 26 may be provided as an outlet of the plenum 16. The valve connection area 26 is designed to cooperate with a valve 28 that leads (either directly or indirectly) to the vacuum waste tank. The valve connection area 26 may be positioned at one of the ends 30, 32 of the plenum 16. Alternatively, the valve connection area 26 may be positioned along a body of the plenum 16. In a specific example, the valve connection area 26 may be positioned along the rear wall 24 or along the front wall 20.

As shown, the plenum 16 generally has two ends 30, 32. An upper portion of the plenum 16 may form the upper portion of the lavatory wall 10. This is illustrated as the first end 30 of the plenum 16. The upper portion of the plenum 16 may form a closed 34 end of the vent line 14. The upper portion is shown as extending generally to the ceiling of the lavatory, but it should be understood that the upper portion 34 need not extend fully upwards. It may end mid-way up the wall or even be provided at a lower area.

The lower portion of the plenum 16 may form the lower portion of the lavatory wall 10. This may referred to as a second end 32 of the plenum. The lower portion of the plenum 16 is shown in the figures as having a valve connection area 26. It should be understood, however, that the valve connection area 26 may be positioned anywhere appropriate along the plenum 16.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 1-3, the valve connection area 26 is associated with a valve 28 that cooperates with an intermediate or transient holding tank 38. This transient holding tank 38 may hold fluid from an initial flush of a toilet 40. The general purpose of the transient holding tank 38 is to provide a barrier between the toilet 40 and the vacuum waste tank. This can help lower the sound of the vacuum flush.

In another embodiment, the valve connection area 28 may be associated with a valve 28 that cooperates directly with the vacuum waste tank 42. One example of this airflow is a shown in FIG. 6. In such a configuration, the valve 28 may be a controlled valve that allows the valve connection area 26 to mate directly with the vacuum waste system tank 42. It is possible that in such an embodiment, air may constantly flow through the plenum 16 and into the vacuum waste system in a controlled fashion in order to provide continuous odor venting.

Whether the valve connection area 26 and valve 28 are directly or indirectly associated with the vacuum waste tank 42, in either embodiment, the general goal is for vacuum from the vacuum waste tank 42 to pull air from the lavatory into the plenum 16. The valve 28 will guide the air either to the transient tank 38 or directly to the vacuum waste tank 42. The general goal is to pull air from the closed lavatory environment into the plenum 16 interior chamber 18.

In order to receive air, the plenum 16 may be provided with a plurality of inlets or openings 22. These openings 22 may be any appropriate size. For example, a non-limiting size range may be from 1 mm or smaller up to 6 inches or more. In a specific embodiment, the openings may be sized at about one or 2 inches. In a specific embodiment, the plenum 16 may include a single large opening and multiple smaller inlets/openings. In another embodiment, the openings may all be similarly sized. An example of this is shown by FIGS. 3 and 5. In another embodiment, the openings may all be variously sized. It is possible for the openings to be generally uniformly spaced, as is shown in FIG. 5. The number and arrangement of inlet ducts will vary based on lavatory configuration, but may generally be located in a spread-out fashion that maximizes air exchange in the passenger space of the lavatory. It is also possible for the openings to be grouped more heavily along one area of the plenum 16. They may be scattered or provided in rows. The rows may be provided in a linear fashion or in a curved fashion.

The inlets/openings 22 may be of a shape to maximize laminar flow and minimize noise generated by airflow into the plenum, such as a velocity stack. In one example, they may be circular openings 22. In another example they may be slits, triangular, square, louvered openings, elongated cut lines, or any other appropriate shape. In one embodiment, the openings 22 may have a border 46 that is generally perpendicular to the wall surface 48, as shown in FIG. 7. In another embodiment, the openings may have a border 46 that creates an angle that is acute or obtuse with respect to the wall surface 48. Examples are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. These options may help provide varying levels of desired airflow.

The multiple small inlets/openings 22 along the plenum 16 may be open to the passenger space of the lavatory. In one example, they are directly formed in the wall 10. They may be covered by a breathable fabric material or other material that will allow air to be pulled therethrough. In another example, the openings 22 may be formed in hidden reliefs in the lavatory wall. In another example, provided the openings 22 are small enough to prevent passenger tampering, they may not have any covering. In a further example, air may flow around a facade 62 or component (as illustrated in FIG. 11) and into openings 22 in order to enter the plenum. It is possible for the facade 62 to be set apart from the wall, such that there are inlet openings 22 on the plenum 16 and the façade provides a visual covering for the openings 22.

Providing a plurality of openings or inlets along the plenum may provide the benefit of more even removal of odor and noxious gasses from the lavatory space. This can provide a benefit over only a single air inlet at the top of a vent line. Providing a plurality of openings or inlets 22 may also help reduce the noise associated with intake of air across the plenum 16. For example, spreading the intake area along the plenum 16 and adjusting the speed and/or volume of removal can prevent a loud sucking sound from occurring at a single opening.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, it is possible for two distinct lavatory spaces 64 a, 64 b to share a single plenum 16. For example, a rear wall 10 a of a first lavatory space 64 a may form a first plenum wall, and a rear wall 10 b of a second lavatory space 64 b may form a second plenum wall. In this example, both walls 10 a, 10 b are provided with a series of inlet openings 22. This may be a particularly beneficial design for an interior lavatory space, for which neither wall 10 a, 10 b is required to be curved.

It is envisioned that instead of a wall 10, a similar architecture may be used to create a false floor 50, under which there may be provided a plenum 16 having one or more of the features described herein. One exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 10. This plenum 16 could be periodically vented to vacuum to provide cleaning and drying services for the floor of the lavatory. This could be particularly useful to help remove spills or any other liquid that may contact the floor 50.

The material used to form the plenum 16 may be any appropriate lightweight material that is stiff enough to withstand airflow therethrough. For example, the plenum may be formed of injection molded plastic. The plenum may be formed of a foam core. The plenum may be formed of carbon fiber composite. It should be understood that any other materials are possible and considered within the scope of this disclosure.

The internal and external surfaces of the plenum may be coated with a material that stiffens, seals, or otherwise provides structural and pneumatic benefits. It is envisioned that due to the large amount of air flowing through the plenum 16, the potential for airborne bacteria, viruses, or other organic matter to collect on the internal and external surfaces is great. To alleviate this potential risk, an antimicrobial surface coating may be applied in order to help reduce collection of undesirable airborne matter. In some cases, this surface coating could also provide aesthetic value. One non-limiting example of a surface material that could be used in this fashion is Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass. One benefit of using such a material is the ability to form-fit the curved structure of some lavatories.

In one example, there is provided a venting system for a closed environment, comprising: a plenum comprising an interior chamber; a plurality of openings formed along an outer surface of the plenum; and a valve connection area on the plenum for fluidly connecting the plenum to a vacuum source. The plenum may be installed along a wall in an aircraft lavatory. In one example, the plenum may form an aircraft lavatory wall. The plenum may comprise a flattened, curved tube. The plurality of openings may be generally uniformly spaced across the plenum or they may be randomly spaced.

In a specific embodiment, there may also be provided a valve leading to the vacuum source, wherein opening of the valve applies vacuum to the interior chamber of the plenum and pulls air from the closed environment into the plenum. The air pulled from the closed environment into the plenum may be directed to a transient holding tank. Alternatively, the air pulled from the closed environment into the plenum may be directed to a vacuum waste tank.

The plenum may be formed of a foam core material. The plenum may be shared by two spaces to be vented. For example, the plenum may be shared by first and second lavatory spaces. The plenum may further comprise a wall formed with an internal space on an outer portion of the wall, wherein the internal space is designed to house one or more components. The one or more components may be a video screen, a cabinet, or a non-load bearing façade.

There is also provided a method of venting an environment, comprising: providing a plenum comprising a plurality of openings for receiving airflow, the plenum further comprising a valve connection area that cooperates with a valve leading to a vacuum source; opening the valve in order to apply vacuum to the plenum.

Changes and modifications, additions and deletions may be made to the structures and methods recited above and shown in the drawings without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure or the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A venting system for a closed environment, comprising: a plenum comprising an interior chamber; a plurality of openings formed along an outer surface of the plenum; and a valve connection area on the plenum for fluidly connecting the plenum to a vacuum source.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plenum is installed along a wall in an aircraft lavatory.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plenum forms an aircraft lavatory wall.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plenum comprises a flattened, curved tube.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings are generally uniformly spaced across the plenum.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a valve leading to the vacuum source, wherein opening of the valve applies vacuum to the interior chamber of the plenum and pulls air from the closed environment into the plenum.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the air pulled from the closed environment into the plenum is directed to a transient holding tank.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the air pulled from the closed environment into the plenum is directed to a vacuum waste tank.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the plenum is formed of a foam core material.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the plenum is shared by two spaces to be vented.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the plenum is shared by first and second lavatory spaces.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the plenum further comprises a wall formed with an internal space on an outer portion of the wall, wherein the internal space is designed to house one or more components.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the one of more components comprise a video screen, a cabinet, or a non-load bearing façade.
 14. A method of venting an environment, comprising: providing a plenum comprising a plurality of openings for receiving airflow, the plenum further comprising a valve connection area that cooperates with a valve leading to a vacuum source; opening the valve in order to apply vacuum to the plenum. 